Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
A big surprise gave me my mojo back
This week I was scrolling through Facebook when I saw a post from a lady called Carly who was in my tent of eight in the Sahara in 2019 when we ran the Marathon des Sables.
As ever on that race we all got on well, finished the marathon and still occasionally stay in touch.
Her post said she was about to run in a 24 hour race raising funds for Prostate Cancer UK because of me, saying lovely things about my commitment and inspiration for others.
I shared Carly’s post, saying how humbling it was that anyone would do things because of me for my favourite cause – but then felt uneasy as I watched the TV for the next hour.
Realising that the unease was because someone else was doing something important when I would be doing nothing, I decided to enter the race too. The challenge is that the race is today!
I have not trained for that time on my feet or potential distance (100k or more) but like many things in life it’s not about the finish, it’s about solidarity, supporting others and starting. I have no idea how many hours I will make but I‘d have otherwise spent the whole weekend feeling guilty, creating a new regret
– something none of us should ever do.
As you read this hopefully
I’ll be half way through the race, running 2.5 mile loops in Essex, sleep deprived, aching feet, probably nauseous. But what I won’t be feeling is guilt. I’ll be proud I’m supporting someone who’s supported me.
Carly has had her own challenges in life but took control of it after the Sahara race and is now an amazing fitness coach. You can find her on Instagram @Carly_strongerbytheday if you want to get what it takes to do these crazy challenges or just get fitter! I am already indebted to her for upping my mojo again.
I hope you too don’t shy away from an opportunity even if you are not quite ready. Sometimes you are never fully ready but just have to start and see how you get on.
Until next week, when I’ll let you know how we got on (or didn’t!), Kev